AEHGP2 Traskott (A) vs. Seydlitz (J) Japanese side AAR

[seydlitz_slith]

Off Billiton, my sub picket line continued to hit fleeing allied tankers.

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Submarine attack near Billiton at 52,91

Japanese Ships
SS I-165

Allied Ships
TK Iris, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



TK Iris is sighted by SS I-165
SS I-165 attacking on the surface

[seydlitz_slith]

East of Pearl Harbor, my subs continued to attrit allied destroyers. The hunting is good and if I can reduce his available destroyers like this it will hurt him for the first two years of the war.

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ASW attack near Lahaina at 195,99

Japanese Ships
SS I-16

Allied Ships
DD Cassin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Downes



SS I-16 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Cassin
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Downes cannot establish contact with SS I-16
DD Downes loses contact with SS I-16
DD Downes cannot establish contact with SS I-16
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[seydlitz_slith]

Off Hong Kong, my valiant army fliers continued to attack British shipping trying to flee the port.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 77,61

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 13



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Joan Moller, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Chengtu, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-27b Nate bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
13 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Joan Moller caught transferring cargo ...
Chengtu caught transferring cargo ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Joan Moller
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Chengtu


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 77,61

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 8



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Kanchow, Bomb hits 2, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Kanchow caught transferring cargo ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Kanchow

[seydlitz_slith]

Over Luzon, my Formosa based forces had planned a coordinated large bomber raid. This was to be preceeded by a large scale fighter sweep. Like many things in war, all did not go as planned. The allied fighters were up in force, and the main sweep did not arrive until after the first wave of bombers had already reached the target. In addition, one of the zero units detailed to sweep instead brought bombs to drop on the target, reducing their effectiveness.
In all, I lost 16 Betties, 6 Nells, and 12 Zeroes over Luzon during the combats today.

[seydlitz_slith]

As you can see, I lost 41 planes today from all causes.

In other news,
our forces landed at Vigan, Miri, Kavieng, Cataduanes, and Manus
We captured Aparri and Kota Bharu
Our troops at Wake are attempting to hold the southwestern portion of the island. They have little hope of taking the entire island. If they can hold out, we will be racing additional troops to reinforce. In the meantime I am ordering the Nells in to resume bombing.

[seydlitz_slith]

Turn 5 11 December, 1941

The turn began with my submarines sinking more shipping near Billiton. Frankly I am surprised that they keep coming and also that I have not seen any ASW forces. I have shot so many torpedoes that I know have four subs heading for home with empty torpedo racks.

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Submarine attack near Billiton at 52,92

Japanese Ships
SS I-165

Allied Ships
xAK Silverbeech, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



xAK Silverbeech is sighted by SS I-165
SS I-165 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Silverbeech

[seydlitz_slith]

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Submarine attack near Billiton at 52,92

Japanese Ships
SS I-157

Allied Ships
xAP Hong Kheng, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



xAP Hong Kheng is sighted by SS I-157
SS I-157 attacking on the surface

[seydlitz_slith]

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Submarine attack near Billiton at 53,92

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
xAKL Shinai, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage



xAKL Shinai is sighted by SS I-166
SS I-166 attacking on the surface
SS I-166 low on gun ammo, Nojima J. breaks off surface engagement and submerges

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Sub attack near Billiton at 53,92

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
xAKL Shinai, heavy fires, heavy damage



Captain of SS I-166 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target


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Submarine attack near Billiton at 53,92

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
xAKL Shinai, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



xAKL Shinai is sighted by SS I-166
SS I-166 launches 4 torpedoes

[seydlitz_slith]

Lots of night action around Legaspi.

First, at Naga, my SCTF went after a tanker in the harbor.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Naga at 81,81, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
TK Manatawny, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced visibility due to Rain with 46% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 46% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
CL Nagara engages TK Manatawny at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
TK Manatawny sunk by DD Shiokaze at 5,000 yards
TK Manatawny sunk by DD Shiokaze at 5,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

[seydlitz_slith]

However, while my task force was raiding Naga, the Boise showed up at Legaspi where my invasion TF was unloading troops.

The Captain of the CS Chitose did his best to defend the convoy and scored several hits on the Boise with his AA battery. The range got close enough for Boise to spray machine gun fire into the Chitose, and the gallant vessel took several .50 cal browning hits in addition to enough 6 inch hits to sink a cruiser.
Mortally wounded, Chitose stayed afloat and in the fight long enough to drive off the Boise.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 82,82, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CS Mizuho
CS Chitose, Shell hits 56, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yukikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DMS W-7
DMS W-8
AMc Ataka Maru
AMc Kyo Maru #1
AMc Takasago Maru, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PB Edo Maru
PB Myoken Maru
PB Saiko Maru
PB Gamitsu Maru #1
PB Nichi Maru #1, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Showa Maru #3
PB Showa Maru #5
AO Hayamoto
TK Matsumoto Maru
xAK Myoko Maru
xAK Shinanogawa Maru
xAK Shinryu Maru
xAK Kanko Maru
xAK Yasukawa Maru
xAK Hasuna Maru
xAK Meigen Maru
xAK Yamafuku Maru
xAKL Kakyu Maru
xAP Haruna Maru

Allied Ships
CL Boise, Shell hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[seydlitz_slith]

However, after the Boise was driven off, a lone four stacker yankee destroyer showed up out of the night and finished off the mortally wounded Chitose before disappearing back into the night.

We have dispatched three heavy cruisers from another nearby task force to track down and destroy these bandits.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 82,82, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Japanese Ships
CS Mizuho, Shell hits 2
CS Chitose, and is sunk
DD Yukikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DMS W-7
DMS W-8
AMc Ataka Maru
AMc Kyo Maru #1
PB Edo Maru
PB Myoken Maru
PB Saiko Maru
PB Gamitsu Maru #1
PB Showa Maru #3
PB Showa Maru #5
AO Hayamoto
TK Matsumoto Maru
xAK Myoko Maru
xAK Shinanogawa Maru
xAK Shinryu Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Kanko Maru
xAK Yasukawa Maru
xAK Hasuna Maru
xAK Meigen Maru
xAK Yamafuku Maru
xAKL Kakyu Maru
xAP Haruna Maru

Allied Ships
DD Pillsbury

[seydlitz_slith]

To add insult to injury, Traskott's heavy bomber force paid a surprise visit to Babeldoab, damaging several ships in the harbor.
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Morning Air attack on Babeldaob , at 90,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Taifuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CM Yaeyama, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Hakone Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 4000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Babeldaob , at 90,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 14


Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CM Yaeyama, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Itsukushima, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

[seydlitz_slith]

Of course, the action wasn't all one sided. I also put a large strike package from Formosa over Cavite Naval Yard (Manila) where we also hit ships in the harbor. Just as important, we also continued to whittle down his fighter force.

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Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
28 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 22000 feet *
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Afternoon Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
G3M2 Nell x 20
G4M1 Betty x 15



Allied aircraft
P-35A x 3
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged


Allied Ships
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Repair Shipyard hits 1

[seydlitz_slith]

The AVG also showed up in China. Evidently he is basing the unit at Changsha as it intercepted bombing raids to the north and south of the city. My bombers were escorted by Ki-27 Nates and they did a good job of protecting the bombers.

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Morning Air attack on Changteh , at 81,50

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 24
Ki-30 Ann x 9



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed




Manpower hits 1
Fires 763

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-27b Nate sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead
AVG/3rd Sqn with H81-A3 (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead
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Morning Air attack on Hengyang , at 80,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 12
Ki-51 Sonia x 11



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 1


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed



Manpower hits 2
Fires 231

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-27b Nate sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead

[seydlitz_slith]

Here is the aircraft loss summary for the turn. The Petes were all on the Chitose when she went down.

[seydlitz_slith]

In other news, Japanese forces took Vigan, Miri, Kavieng, Manus, Catanduanes, and Ocean Island during the turn.

In addition, landings were conducted at Kuching, Rambutyo, Aitape, Wewak, Brunei, Morotai, and Hollandia.

The Wake landing force continued to hold out. Next turn i will be able to start loading the relief force.

Finally, it looks like Traskott is moving several subs up into the East China Sea to conduct an anti-shipping campaign against the home islands.
Rest assured that I am preparing him a warm reception.

[Fletcher]

Hi Seydlitz !
Bad news with the USS Boise surprise in the Legaspi waters.

About Babeldaob, I ever fly in Okamoto Det (A5M4s) to intercept enemy heavy bombers with excellent outcome. They can not down any of them, but all 4-E turned back each attack. Take care with Cam Ranh, Takao or Kagi, all of these bases into B-17 range.
In spite of large number of aircraft lost in the last turn by the lost of Chitose, your total aircraft lost at all turns are so few!. That´s a good work (26 operational lost in a total of 150 ACs is less than 15%, that´s good)
Best of wishes !
Ramón

[seydlitz_slith]

ORIGINAL: Fletcher

Hi Seydlitz !
Bad news with the USS Boise surprise in the Legaspi waters.

About Babeldaob, I ever fly in Okamoto Det (A5M4s) to intercept enemy heavy bombers with excellent outcome. They can not down any of them, but all 4-E turned back each attack. Take care with Cam Ranh, Takao or Kagi, all of these bases into B-17 range.
In spite of large number of aircraft lost in the last turn by the lost of Chitose, your total aircraft lost at all turns are so few!. That´s a good work (26 operational lost in a total of 150 ACs is less than 15%, that´s good)
Best of wishes !
Ramón

I hated to lose Chitose as she is a valuable ship for scouting. However, I was pleased to be able to pin down the location of the Boise. I can now try to hunt her down like the Brits did the Bismarck.

The A5M4 Claudes that were at Babeldaob were flown out to CVL Ryuho on December 8th and she is half way to Japan now to replace her Kate losses.

Thanks for the tip about Cam Ranh being in B-17 range. I had the other points well covered but forgot about this important base.

[Fletcher]

Seydlitz,
I love this comparision with Bismarck chase by Royal Navy !!
Good luck and best chase !
Ramón

[bklooste]

All those subs going to the home islands gives a nice training job for all those restricted units  .
 
Btw love your graphical AARs
 
Ben